Sometimes the noisiest place I can be is in the silence of my own thoughts. With so much changing information around us, it is no wonder that it’s difficult to settle my mind. Prayer, a promised source of solace and relief, becomes especially scattered when I am distracted by so many conflicting opinions. I desperately need a reset button within …
“I struggle with depression.” “My thought loops with negative self-talk.” “I can’t seem to shake these feelings of inadequacy.” I hear comments like these all the time. Although our lives are among the most prosperous on the planet, our thoughts swirl with famine and dryness. Why is this? I believe the kingdom of fear is alive and well in our …
What is your weightiest prayer request? What is your greatest spiritual desire? A healing? A salvation? A cash infusion? When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began with worship, then moved to petition. Remember what the first one was? Not food or even forgiveness but: “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). John the Baptist preached it: …
In middle school, I discovered an ad for a “free book”. Excited, I filled out the information and awaited its arrival. Turned out, it wasn’t that great of a book and I didn’t even finish it. The following month – you guessed it — another book arrived addressed to me. In my ignorance, I opened it, glad …
“The prince of the power of the air.” My eyes stopped. Why had I never noticed that before? I read it again. “The prince of the power of the air.” The air? How could anyone have power over air? And in a moment, new revelation rushed upon my understanding. Airwaves….. The internet, videos, Pandora, television, …
Inappropriate. Vulgar. Suggestive. No, this wasn’t a movie, a book, or a joke. It was a high school health test and I was required to take it. The exasperation had been building for several weeks. My classmates and I knew the rumors about this teacher before walking into class the first day. Although the accusations hadn’t been proved …
The world is an ocean, Our soul is a ship. Controlling the weather Is ne’er in our grip. Our past ‘round us blowing A fierce gale of hate The memories – a whirlpool – We sink with their weight. To bridle the outward Is not in our hands To do so is pointless Like counting the sands. …
I remember reading once that the ancient Greeks punished murderers by tying their victims to the body of the one who was found guilty of the crime. Now, I don’t know if this is true or not, but it gave me an excellent visual of the weight and burden we carry with us when we do not forgive. …
Tears streamed from Ping-Yi’s face. “I feel so guilty”, she said. Before believing in Christ, Ping-Yi had spent years in pornography. Although a believer now, these images from her past still vividly rolled onto the screen of her thoughts. “I guess that God is tempting me of my past sins. I’ll never be free from these …
